Bob Younger's Fate — page 185: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

176 BOB YOUNGER’S FATE. — | front of the house to prevent a retreat in that direc- tion. . : All had been perfectly quiet within the house after the first alarm, a fact which meant either that the outlaws were waiting an attack, or else had es- caped, although the latter supposition was scarcely probable. But just as Belton and his men turned the corner of the building; he caught sight of the indistinct forms of men arranged about the stable entrance, evidently in the act of mounting. | ‘Halt and surrender!’’ cried the detective, draw- ing his revolver and rushing forward. ; A shot which just grazed his cheek was the only answer he received. The next moment the desperadoes were on their horses, and fleeing like the wind. - Belton’s revolver spoke just once before the party was out of sight, but that one shot was effective. A horse staggered, regained his feet, and then fell. carrying his rider with him. — | Hardly had he touched the ground when Belton was on the spot, his hand on the horseman’s neck. He started back in amazement, for he had cap- tured not a man, but a woman. “The Queen !’’ he cried. It was indeed Irene. She had attempted to escape with the outlaws, and would doubtless have succeeded had not Bel- ton’s chance shot disabled her steed. - Partly stunned by the fall, she was unable to de- fend herself, and fell into the hands of her enemies, an easy prisoner. | - Inthe meantime, hearing the shots and the noise of the horses, the remainder of the detectives joined the party. ‘Here, Jones,’”’ said Belton, “‘take charge of this -. lady while some of us look after the fugitives.”’ Bill, with much gallantry, escorted the unwilling Irene into the house, where he proceeded, in spite of her indignant remonstrances, to tie her hands. “What do you mean by this outrage?’’ she de- _ manded, tearfully. | | “Comicbooks. (ee)